24/12/2025
The elves are putting the finishing touches on their wrapping, Mrs Claus is making some last minute festive snacks and Santa is doing the final checks on his sleigh….there is one more important factor to making sure everything goes to plan on Christmas Eve……Reindeer
The success of Santa’s flight relies on more than just Christmas magic…..Reindeer have some of the most remarkable adaptations for seeing in the dark, and we don’t mean Rudolph’s shining red nose! Reindeer have a special layer at the back of the eye called the tapetum lucidem. Whilst a lot of animals have this, reindeer have an enhanced ability. In the winter, the tapetum lucidem changes colour from gold to blue. This seasonal change boosts light sensitivity, helping them detect movement and navigate environments in near darkness – all ensuring that Santa is able to deliver presents safely across the globe throughout Christmas Eve. In summer, when the Reindeer are on their holidays, it returns to a gold colour, better suited for brighter conditions.
This festive season lets celebrate the magic of vision
From all of us at Eye Vet, here’s to a bright, magical festive season
